Spindle adapter



Aug. 27, 1963 R. L. CARROLL ETAL 3,10

SPINDLE ADAPTER Filed Feb. 20, 1961 INVENTORS ROBERT I..CARR0LL$ y CLARENCE LSTEINBACK ATTORNEY United States Patent ()fiice 3,1 l ,9 l l Patented Aug. 27, 1963 3,101,911 SPINDLE ADAPTER Robert L. Carroil, Greenville, S.C., and Clarence I. Steinback, Minneapolis, Minn, assignors to Acrometal Products, Inc., Minneapolis, Minn, a corporation Filed Feb. 20, 1961, Ser. No. 90,295 8 Claims. (Cl. 1242-46- This invention relates to spindles and more especially to an adapter for equipping the spindle blade to accommodate strand receiving members in the form of plastic, paper tubes and the like. The invention is especially useful in textile operations in which yarn packages are placed on a creel and down twisted for the purpose of plying and adding twist to the yarn. Paper tubes and plastic bobbins have been used in recent years replacing the old wooden bobbins for this purpose. A variety of arrangements have been used for adapting the spindle to receive strand carriers of a variety of types. Such arrangements have employed spaced resilient elements usually in the form of leaf springs carried in some manner by the spindle blade to adapt same for reception of the yarn carrier. Winding speeds have heretofore been limited because of the lack of concentricity of former adapters resulting from variations in spring forces exerted by the various springs. Even at relatively low speeds the problem of lack of concentricity is important because even a slight unbalance in the force exerted by the resilient elements becomes more exaggerated as the spindle turns causing excessive vibration of the spindle and the many resulting defects in the package achieved thereby as well as loss of power and excessive wear on the spindle bearing parts. The higher speeds and great varieties of yarn styles employed today make the problem even more pronounced.

Accordingly, it is an important object of this invention to provide a spindle adapter which provides uniform concentric support for the strand receiving member.

Another object of the invention is to provide a spindle adapter permitting higher spindle speeds capable of avoiding excess spindle vibration and resulting loss of power, excessive wear on bearing parts and defects in the package.

Another object of this invention is to provide a spindle adapter of simple construction having radially spaced elements, all of which are equally spaced from the axis of the spindle.

Another object of the invention is to provide a spindle adapter having floating radially spaced members contacting the spindle directly at spaced aligned points.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a spindle adapter having stable radially spaced members engaging the inner periphery yarn receiving element mounted in such a way that uniform displacement of all of the elements is assured at all times during operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a spindle adapter having radially spaced connected vertical elements, each having spaced contact directly with the spindle blade.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a spindle adapter in which the displacement of all of the bobbin receiving members is controlled by a common spring biased member.

The construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features thereof.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawing forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic side elevation showing an operating spindle illustrating an adapter constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged side elevation, with parts broken away, illustrating a spindle adapter constructed in accordance with the present invention positioning a bobbin,

FIGURE 3 is a vertical sectional view, with parts omitted, illustrating the spindle adapter shown in FIGURE 1 with the bobbin removed,

FIGURE 4 is a top view of the spindle adapter illustrated'in FIGURE 3, and

FIGURE 5 is a bottom view of the spindle adapter shown in FIGURE 3.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, a spindle adapter constructed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated as including a pair of spaced concentrically balanced housings A fixed upon a spindle blade. A plurality of radially spaced slides, vanes or ribs B are carried by each housing A. Each of the ribs B are provided with inward projections adapted to give spaced aligned contacts with the spindle blade. A spring biased cam member C is positioned below each housing A and is urged downwardly engaging a cam follower surface carried by the inner lower portion of the inwardly projecting portion of the rib B. Thus, the rib members B are floating members which pivot and move inwardly and outwardly within the housing A to adjust equally commensurate with the internal diameter of the bobbin to insure a spaced engagement directly with the spindle adjacent the top of the rib members. The adjustment of the spaced rib members B is illustrated by reference to the drawing where, in FIG- URE '2, the ribs B are in position for spaced point contact with the spindle while, in FIGURE 3, the cam member C has urged the lower portion of the ribs l3 outwardly. It is important that the spaced engaging portions of the ribs B are in horizontal alignment and this is assured by the downward force of the sliding cylindrical member C against the cam surface of the ribs B. Therefore, the spaced longitudinal ribs each having a fulcrum point bearing directly on a spindle while the other ends bear upon a movable cam surface also carried by the spindle are important features of the invention.

Referring to FIGURE 1, a spindle blade 10 is rotatably mounted within a housing '11 fixed to the bolster rail swing arm 12 by the bolt 13. The lock nut 13 engages a washer 14- on the lower side of the bolster rail 12 and a shoulder 15 engages the bolster rail swing arm 12 at the top. The spindle whorl 16, which turns upon the housing support 11a, is driven by the spinning tape 17 to rotate the spindle 10.. An upper extension 18 of the whorl carries the spindle dog 1801 which normally engages the dog slot (not shown) in the lower portion of the bobbin to provide a positive connection therewith. A suitable washer 19 has been positioned above the whorl and at the same height as top of dog as a connection by the bobbin with the dog would cause that bobbin to ride on the spindle lower than those which do not engage the dog. It is unnecessary to align the bobbin dog slot with the dog when placing the bobbin on a spindle equipped with an adapter constructed in accordance with the present invention because the holding action of the adapter alone is sufficiently positive.

Yarn Y from a drafting system or other suitable supply (not shown) is illustrated in FIGURE 1 as being wound upon a bobbin. The usual traversing ring rail 20 having a ring 21 carrying the traveler for distributing the yarn Y upon the package is also illustrated. Thestrand carrier is illustrated in the form of a plastic bobbin 23 having a lower flange 23a. I

FIGURE 2 illustrates the upper spindle adapter unit with the ribs B in engagement with the inner surface 23b of the bobbin. The housing A has means fixing same to the spindleblade 10 as by spaced set screws 24. The housing A has a longitudinal bore 25 for accommodating the spindle 10 and a cylindrical recess 26 is provided in the upper portion of the housing A to accommodate the inward projections of the rib members B while a plurality of spaced longitudinal slots 27 position the ribs B in vertical alignment so that the ribs may pivot at their upper end and move inwardly and outwardly within the slots 27 therein.

The ribs B include an elongated slide 28 accommodated within the grooves or slots 27, the inner surface of the slide 28 being spaced from the inner surface of the slots 27 as best illustrated in FIGURE 3. The upper portions of the ribs B have inwardly projecting portions 29 which carry downward spindle engaging projections 29a. The downward projection carries an enlarged spindle engaging element 30 depending therefrom. The elongated portion 28 has a raised camining portion 28a positioned below the spindle engaging element 30 for contacting the inner periphery 23b of the bobbin and pressing the rib B downwardly and inwardly so that the member 30 engages the spindle directly. The lower projection 31 has an inner an'gularly disposed cam surface 32 engaging the lower portion of the cylindrical member C. This outwardly extending cam surface 32 is preferably disposed 'at about a 45 degree angle with the horizontal since the force of the spring and forces tending to displace the bobbin would thus tend to balance. The cam member C bottoms on a projection 31a when the adapter is not loaded (FIG- URE 3.)

The cylindrical member C has a bore 33 therein slid- :able upon the spindle 10. A coil spring 34 is mounted within a cylindrical recess 35 within the housing A and urges the cylindrical member C downwardly. It is thus seen that the cam surfaces 32 engage the lower portion of the common spring biased member C so that all of the members of the ribs B will be in the same position at all times. The relative position of the rib members B with respect to the spindle will be dependent upon the size of the inner periphery 23b of the bobbin. The sole function of the housing A, therefore, is to vertically position the ribs B and act as a stop for the spring 34. Radially spaced contacts are thus provided directly with the spindle and insure relatively concentric positioning of the bobbin.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A spindle adapter for a bobbin, tube and the like including, a plurality of spaced ribs disposed vertically with respect to the spindle, said ribs bearing on the spindle at a point adjacent one end thereof, a movable cam having an annular bearing surface carried by the spindle upon which the ribs have bearing support adjacent the other end thereof and each of said ribs having a raised outer portion for engaging a bobbin, tube or the like when initially placed upon the ribs, intermediate the point of bearing on the spindle and the bearing surface adjacent the other end thereof, whereby contact of the ribs on the spindle on one end thereof and upon the bearing surface on the other end thereof is maintained when the bobbin, tube or the like is operably positioned upon the spindle.

2. A spindle adapter for a bobbin, tube and the like including, a housing adapted to be fixed upon the spindle, a plurality of spaced elongated elements carried in vertical and horizontal alignment on said housing, a resili ently mounted cam element pressing each of the elongated elements adjacent one end thereof outwardly, the other end being in radially spaced contact with the spindle, and a raised outer portion carried by each elongated element intermediate their contact with the spindle and with the cam element for engaging a bobbin, tube and the like when the bobbin, tube and the like is initially placed thereon, whereby contact of each elongated element on the spindle on one end thereof and upon the 4 bearing surface on the other end thereof is maintained when the bobbin, tube or the like is operably positioned upon the spindle.

3. A spindle adapter for a bobbin, tube and the like including, a housing adapted to be fixed to a spindle, a plurality of equally spaced elongated elements carried in vertical alignment on said housing engaging the bobbin, a resiliently mounted cam pressing the elongated elements outwardly adjacent one end thereof urging said elements against the inner surface of the bobbin intermediate their end and urging the other end into spaced aligned contact with the spindle, and a raised outer portion carried by each elongated element intermediate their contact with the spindle and with the cam element for engaging a bobbin, tube and the like when the bobbin, tube and the like is initially placed thereon, whereby contact of each elongated element on the spindle on one end thereof and upon the bearing surface on the other end thereof is maintained when the bobbin, tube or the like is operably positioned upon the spindle.

4. A spindle adapter for a bobbin, tube and the like including, a plurality of spaced interconnected elongated members vertically disposed with respect to the spindle, a resiliently mounted cam means urging said elongated members outwardly adjacent one end thereof maintaining same in horizontal alignment, and inward projections carried by the other end of said elongated members directly engaging the spindle when urged thereagainst by the inner periphery of the bobbin, and a raised outer portion carried by each elongated element intermediate their contact with the spindle and with the cam element for engaging a bobbin, tube and the like when the bobbin, tube and the like is initially placed thereon, whereby contact of each elongated element on the spindle on one end thereof and upon the bearing surface on the other end thereof is maintained when the bobbin, tube or the like is operably positioned upon the spindle.

5. A spindle adapter for a bobbin, tube and the like including, a housing, means fastening the housing to said spindle in concentric alignment therewith, a plurality of equally spaced ribs carried in longitudinal alignment within said housing, each rib having a projection contacting said spindle adjacent one end of each rib, a spring biased cylindrical element slidable on the spindle, a cam surface carried by each rib adjacent the other end of each rib engaged by the cylindrical element, and a raised outer portion of said ribs, for engaging a bobbin, tube and the like, intermediate the projection contacting said spindle and the cam surfaces, when the bobbin, tube and the like is initially placed thereon, whereby contact of the ribs on the spindle on one end thereof and upon the bearing surface on the other end thereof is maintained when the bobbin, tube or the like is operably positioned upon the spindle.

6. A spindle adapter for a bobbin, tube and the like including, a housing, means fastening the housing to said spindle, a plurality of spaced longitudinal slots in said housing parallel with the axis of said spindle, a plurality of equally spaced ribs carried in vertical alignment by said slots, said ribs each having an upper inward projection contacting said spindle, a recess in said housing receiving said upper projections, a spring biased cylindrical element slidable on the spindle, and a cam follower surface carried by the lower end of said ribs engaging the lower surface of the cylindrical element, each of said ribs having a raised outer portion intermediate the upper projection and the cam follower surface for engaging a bobbin, tube or the like.

7. The structure set forth in claim 6, including, a coil spring intermediate the housing and said cylindrical element, and in which said cam follower surface projects outwlardly at an angle of about 45 degrees from the horizontal.

'8. A spindle adapter for a bobbin, tube and the like including, a pair of spaced elements carried by the spindle,

each such element having a plurality of spaced ribs d-isposed vertically with respect to the spindle, said ribs bearing on the spindle at a point adjacent one end thereof, a movable cam having an annular bearing surface carried by the spindle upon which the ribs have bearing support adjacent the other end thereof, and each of said ribs having a raised outer portion for engaging a bobbin, tube or the like when initially placed upon the ribs, intermediate the point of bearing onthe spindle and the bearing surface adjacent the other end thereof, whereby con- References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 893,760 Thompson July 21, 1908 Staufert Aug. 1, 19'39 

1. A SPINDLE ADAPTER FOR A BOBBIN, TUBE AND THE LIKE INCLUDING, A PLURALITY OF SPACED RIBS DISPOSED VERTICALLY WITH RESPECT TO THE SPINDLE, SAID RIBS BEARING ON THE SPINDLE AT A POINT ADJACENT ONE END THEREOF, A MOVABLE CAM HAVING AN ANNULAR BEARING SURFACE CARRIED BY THE SPINDLE UPON WHICH THE RIBS HAVE BEARING SUPPORT ADJACENT THE OTHER END THEREOF AND EACH OF SAID RIBS HAVING A RAISED OUTER PORTION FOR ENGAGING A BOBBIN, TUBE OR THE LIKE WHEN INITIALLY PLACED UPON THE RIBS, INTERMEDIATE THE POINT OF BEARING ON THE SPINDLE AND THE BEARING SURFACE ADJACENT THE OTHER END THEREOF, WHEREBY CONTACT OF THE RIBS ON THE SPINDLE ON ONE END THEREOF AND UPON THE BEARING SURFACE ON THE OTHER END THEREOF IS MAINTAINED WHEN THE BOBBIN, TUBE OR THE LIKE IS OPERABLY POSITIONED UPON THE SPINDLE. 